Surfing is awesome. The feeling of riding waves and feeling free can’t be found anywhere else. If you’re new to surfing, you probably started on a longboard. Longboards are great because they are big, stable, and easier to balance on. But as you get better, you might wonder if it’s time to switch to a shortboard. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s the Difference Between Longboards and Shortboards?
First, let’s talk about the difference between longboards and shortboards. Longboards are usually 8 to 12 feet long. They have a round nose and are great for learning, cruising, and can easily catch smaller waves. Shortboards, on the other hand, are about 5 to 7 feet long. They have a pointed nose and are designed for quick turns and riding bigger, more powerful waves. Shortboards have thinner rails and most shortboards have a lot of front and rear rockers. Rocker is the angle of the nose and tail for those who don’t know.
Maybe you already know all that and want an idea of what needs to happen before you go grab a gnarly shortboard to carve up waves. Below are some of the things you are going to need to be proficient at, if not really good at before you switch.
When to Switch to a Shortboard
Switching from a longboard to a shortboard in surfing is an exciting challenge! Here are some key skills you’ll need to develop for a smooth transition:
When Your Strong Paddling:
Shortboards have less buoyancy, so you’ll need to paddle more efficiently to catch waves. As an example here, my 9’6″ is 84 liters, it is super easy to paddle on. A 6′ S Boss by Firewire is 35 liters and takes a lot more paddle power to get into waves. A few times in the past years or so I have ridden some short boards. They are crazy fun to ride, but without a strong paddling ability getting out into the lineup is so difficult.
When You Have Quick Pop-Ups:
The smaller surface area of a shortboard requires faster and more precise pop-ups. If you aren’t ready when it’s time to go, you’re going to eat it. Make sure you can pop up super fast.
Strong Balance and Stability:
Shortboards are less stable, so improving your balance is crucial. Practicing balance on a balance board can help for sure. Riding a surf skate can also be beneficial. Former pro surfer Sterling Spencer says practicing on a slackline helped him a bunch in his early days of surfing
Better Wave Reading Ability:
You’ll need to be adept at reading waves and positioning yourself correctly to catch them before they break.
Ready For Steep Take-Offs:
Shortboards perform best on steeper waves. Practice taking off at a steeper angle. This can be a bit difficult on big ole giant logs, but it is still doable.
Angling the Board:
Learn to angle your board during take-off to ride along the wave’s face rather than straight to the beach.
Turning and Maneuvering:
Shortboards are more responsive, so you’ll need to work on your turning skills and making quick maneuvers.
Duck Diving:
Mastering the duck dive will help you get through waves more efficiently, saving energy and time. This is a skill you probably won’t be able to learn on a longboard. Longboards just have so much buoyancy to get under waves. Getting an idea of what a duck dive is and how to do it is still very important.
Wave Confidence:
Build your confidence by practicing on more critical waves. This will help you handle the speed and power of the waves better.
Patience and Persistence:
Transitioning to a shortboard can be frustrating at times. Be patient and persistent, and don’t hesitate to switch back to your longboard occasionally to regain confidence.
You Don’t Have to Switch to a Shortboard
It’s important to know that you don’t have to switch from a longboard to a shortboard no matter what anyone tells you. Many surfers enjoy riding longboards their entire lives. Longboarding is a unique style of surfing that’s all about elegance and flow. Longboards are perfect for smaller waves and relaxed surfing sessions.
With all that said if your goal is to shred and get barreled riding a shortboard is an exciting challenge! You should also know you don’t have to jump from a 9′ longboard to a 6′ in a single step. Midlength boards are a great stepping stone in between long and short boards.
Why I Prefer Longboarding
Stability:
Longboards are more stable plain and simple. This makes them great for practicing your balance and trying new things like big turns and nose riding!
Small Waves:
Longboards can catch smaller waves that shortboards might miss. This means more surfing days!
Style:
Longboarding has a cool, classic style. You can learn to do cross-stepping, nose riding, and you just get to cruise. Out on my longboard, I am so relaxed and feel like I can just take my time. On a shortboard, the surf sessions seem so much more intense. There is nothing wrong with that, but it’s not how I want to spend my time in the waves.
Final Thoughts on Switching to Shortboards
Switching to a shortboard is a personal choice and depends on your surfing goals. If you want to challenge yourself with bigger waves and faster turns, give a shortboard a try. But if you love the smooth ride and stylish moves of a longboard, stick with it. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the waves, no matter what type of board you ride!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on switching to a shortboard! drop a comment below or send me a message on the contact page.
